Southern project starts
GORDONVALE is poised to become the jewel in the crown of the fast-growing southern corridor of Cairns with earthworks starting this week at a bold development.
Cutter’s Rise will ultimately comprise about 400 residential lots along with 142 apartments, a retirement village, childcare centre and supermarket among community facilities.
Sales agent Renee Straguszi, whose family originally farmed cane on the land acquired around 1935, said there were 12 lots left in the 41-lot stage one offering.
“When we launched it in January, I wondered if anyone would buy – but we had 25 lots on hold in the first five days, it was overwhelming,” Ms Straguszi said.
“We’ve finally broken ground and started work, it’s full steam ahead now.
“We will release the master plan early in the new year.”
She said buyers from Gordonvale itself and other southern suburbs had snapped up the sizeable blocks, along with southern investors.
“It’s been a long 12 months getting everything approved and we’ve finally got the tick,” Ms Straguszi said.
“It’s large, flat, affordable land, you can’t find that anywhere in Cairns, and we are building a community – that’s what appeals to people.”
Lot sizes in stage one range from 672sq m to 1086sq m, with bigger lots selling fast.
The development is on a whopping 42.5ha.
“It’s going to be a vibrant new community offering the perfect balance of lifestyle and space,” Ms Straguszi said.
She said the 10.5km upgrade of the Bruce Highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale would cut travel time to Cairns by 10 minutes.
Ms Straguszi’s grandmother, the late Rose Straguszi, resided in a home on the land until she died, aged 92, in April 2019.
“This is all coming from the heart. We are excited and passionate about it and we want people who build a home here to be part of a community we can be proud of,” Ms Straguszi said.
“You won’t be living on top of your next-door neighbour – you’ll have space.”
The southern corridor is firmly in the sights of those who want room to move, with several developments offering land of 600sq m or more.
Work on Frederik Kroyman’s Pinecrest Development – which could ultimately have 1500 homes over eight precincts – began earlier this year.
The first stage, Rocky Creek, comprises 48 lots which feature an average size of 1000sq m. The precinct off Cooper Rd, south of Edmonton, will have 144 lots in total.